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134 The Hifory of Bers. | 
But Butler, Purchas and Rufden: have 
fully confuted this vulgar Error in the Pare 
ticulars following. When the Hives have 
been for a Year or more filled with Combs 
down to the Floor, and there is no more — 
Room to build, they yet carry of this faid Mat- — 
ter in the greateft Plenty; and even when no | 
more Wax is wanting, only to {eal up the 
Honey, and the breeding Cells, for which 
a very {mall Quantity is fufficient, © ~ 
Further: Do but examine the faid Matter 
with your Fingers, and you will prefently 
perceive the Particles to feparate from each 
other, and crumble to Powder, whereas 
Wax, on the contrary, will adhere. and 
cleave together: Orif you carry it to the 
Fire you fhall fee it turn to Afhes and Duft, 
when the other fhall melt and diffolve. A 
plain Evidence it is not Wax! ; 
The Diverfity again of it's Colours is’ an 
additional Proof of what I am difputing for. 
Senfe itfelf is an Evidence. Wax, both as 
it is gathered, and wrought into Combs, is. 
always white, as any Perfon may eafily fa. 
tisfy himfelf, and nothing but the Age of 
the Combs, and Breath of the Bees, changes 
it’s Colour. 3 cP | 
Moreover, it is eafy to obferve, that new 5 | 
Swarms for the firft, fecond or third Day, 
catry in little or nothing of this faid Mat. 
ter; when in that Space of Time, they 
haye (invifibly) conveyed into the Hive faf. — | 
| | , ficient 



